Omegle and Chatroulette are both the Internet standards when it comes to having random conversations with often very random strangers. Sometimes it gets inappropriate, and sometimes, well… this happens: We aren’t condoning doing a repeat of this, but we do have a few ideas for you to enhance your random chat adventures. Here’s a big ol’ list. Avoid Text-Based Chat If you’ve used any randomly-based chat site, you’ve probably experienced it: ASL? M. U? Are you [insert something sexually suggestive here]? It’s a little bit easier to avoid this nonsense with video chats. I mean, text-based chat isn’t always going to be bad. But...

Musicians of MakeUseOf, you’re always wanting to build up your popularity, aren’t you? Of course you are. A popular method for those desiring a quick-and-easy rise to stardom is by posting cover songs of popular music on YouTube. With covers like this Taylor Swift mash-up even getting support from the original artist, it’s no wonder they are abundant. But consider this: what are the legal ramifications of your song? To The No-Name Artist First, let’s be clear: I’m not condoning breaking the law. I’m not condoning breaking the law. I’m not condoning breaking the law. But the reality is that – with the constant flow of unsolicited uploads...

So it’s time to upgrade from your entry-level DSLR. Or so you think… We have a few things to consider when upgrading to your next DSLR. You may view this article as a means to persuade you not to purchase a nicer DSLR – not so. If you want to, then you should. But there may be a few things you need to consider before you part with your cash… Have You Ever Touched Manual Mode? The biggest question to answer – and though it may sound very basic – is this: have you spun the dial around to Manual mode? It’s typically noted by...

So you’ve shot some video at a high frame rate… what exactly should you do with it now? There are so many elements in slow motion video that need to be considered in post-production. Luckily for you, we’ve considered most of them to bring you our guide to post-processing your slo-mo masterpiece. Project Rate Versus File Frame Rate An important checklist item when shooting in slow-motion – before you even edit – is to see if you’re working with the actual frame rate you’re shooting in or something called a project frame rate. Basically, your camera is either going to export the video you are shooting in the actual frame rate (say,...

Everyone wants to walk away from an explosion in slow motion. Fortunately, with today’s phones, it’s easier than ever. The day that slow-mo became mainstream was the day the iPhone 5S was revealed to world (Android fans, we’re not wanting to leave you out – we know what the Galaxy S4 can do). Apple improved further on this and the iPhone 6 can shoot up to 240 frames per second. What exactly does that mean? Why is that important? What is a frame, anyway? Let’s break it down. Frames & Framerate When you watch a video – as you may know – you’re merely watching...

When watching professionally shot digital film – say, on cameras like the RED Epic or an ARRI Amira – it’s typically very apparent that you’re watching something that’s much higher quality than you could shoot with your iPhone. But why is that, though? What makes it so much better? Some people will say it’s camera resolution used, which is often true. 4K video and even 6K video can drastically affect image clarity. Then there are lenses – another major determining factor on the aesthetic of an image. Lighting often plays a role, and frame rate can as well, but in most films, even on the indie status...

Accidental screenshots, Snapchat saves, and slips of the trigger finger in your camera app – all of these lead to unwanted digital images. Should you delete them? Not necessarily. While Dave Parrack is all about keeping your images for sentiment’s sake, some of us in the Creative section like to recycle them for more… inventive purposes. Let’s see what you can do with digital disposables. Photo Collages & Mosaics It’s a classic art form, but hey, you have to admit that photo collages and mosaics are still pretty cool. Rather than reusing the same series of images over and over, it would be much more interesting...

If you’ve worked with digital SLRs in any capacity, you’ve probably heard the question, “Hey, is that a full frame camera?” If it isn’t, you’ll usually hear, “Oh. Well. You should consider getting one.” The reality is that full frame sensors aren’t necessarily always superior, despite their price tags and comparisons to the 35mm cameras of yore. In fact, most of us own cameras with smaller cropped sensors, which artificially increase focal lengths on full frame lenses. What Is A Full Frame Sensor? Full frame sensors are essentially the evolution of 35mm film – the format is based entirely on the traditional frame on a 35mm roll. A full frame...

There’s a common word thrown around with teens and most social apps: “safety.” What’s safe for my child? Will they be safe on the Internet? Is this a safe app to use? The reality is that nothing is safe – it’s how you use it that makes it safe. Quick Contact Mobile Apps Recent social apps tend to put a focus on brief, speedy, temporary communication these days, and many teenagers go into it blindly, not really knowing what to expect. Apps like Kik, Yik Yak, and Snapchat all have similar approaches to communication (but from different angles): they are somewhat disposable. Kik is all about unlimited messaging...

Editing is typically the final process that happens before a video gets to you for final viewing. If you’ve had to make a video yourself, you’ll also know it can be a time-consuming process. If you’re just getting into the editing game, you may be confused as to what to do with the many millions of clips you have… well, we’re here to help. Here are eight things worth remembering to help enhance your editing chops. Maintain A Project Directory When editing a big project for the first time ever, it’s super easy to just throw everything onto your Desktop and hope for the...

Whether you’re using popsicle sticks and glue or just ordering online, sending custom gifts is something that will never get old. We know how important it is to show people that they matter, so we’ve put together a list of a few sites that will aid you in your quest to share that feel-good feeling. From simple stickers all the way to custom 3D models, we’ve got you covered. Sticky9 Sticky9 (formerly known as StickyGram) lets you take all your Instagram photos and put them to good use. Stickers (obviously), magnets, and phone cases can all be created using your and...

Our world is full of big screens and small screens, but the question is this: how do we optimize messages for the small screen? With such a small window to keep things contained within, it sometimes seems difficult. Below are seven tips from MakeUseOf to help you with writing the perfect email (or text, or Facebook message, or Snapchat message, or…) for the mobile inbox. Keep It Brief Always consider your reader’s device when writing a message. Big screen? Lots of room to play with. Small screen? They are probably reading the message while driving and have about two seconds...